Parental supporter in pediatric resuscitation: A mixed-method study with Delphi and analytic hierarchy process

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nursing
• Family-Centered Care
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Parental support is crucial in family-centered nursing care during pediatric emergencies.
• The specific roles and characteristics of parental supporters during and after child resuscitation are not well-defined.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and define the characteristics and roles of parental supporters for parents undergoing pediatric resuscitation.
• To establish evidence-based criteria for effective parental support in critical care settings.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method approach combining the Delphi technique and the Analytic Hierarchy Process.
• Qualitative interviews with parents and resuscitation teams, followed by expert Delphi rounds and AHP for ranking.
• Development of a comprehensive list of 69 items detailing supporter characteristics and roles.

Main Results:

• A detailed list of 69 items was generated, categorized into supporter characteristics and roles during and after resuscitation (successful and unsuccessful).
• Significant focus was placed on the roles of supporters after unsuccessful resuscitation (33.34%) and after successful resuscitation (18.84%).
• Key characteristics and roles were identified to guide support provision.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the necessity of a dedicated parental supporter during and after pediatric resuscitation, regardless of parental presence.
• The identified characteristics and roles can inform the development of guidelines for family-centered care in pediatric critical situations.
• This research provides a foundation for improving parental support during and after pediatric resuscitation events.